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Plant polyphenols inhibit VacA, a toxin secreted by the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori
Author(s) -
Tombola Francesco,
Campello Silvia,
De Luca Laura,
Ruggiero Paolo,
Del Giudice Giuseppe,
Papini Emanuele,
Zoratti Mario
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(03)00443-5
Subject(s) - helicobacter pylori , polyphenol , toxin , virulence factor , pathogen , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , bacteria , caga , virulence , biology , antioxidant , genetics , gene
VacA is a major virulence factor of the widespread stomach‐dwelling bacterium Helicobacter pylori . It causes cell vacuolation and tissue damage by forming anion‐selective, urea‐permeable channels in plasma and endosomal membranes. We report that several flavone derivatives and other polyphenols present in vegetables and plants inhibit ion and urea conduction and cell vacuolation by VacA. Red wine and green tea, which contain many of the compounds in question, also potently inhibit the toxin. These observations suggest that polyphenols or polyphenol derivatives may be useful in the prevention or cure of H. pylori ‐associated gastric diseases.